Bluberry plant named &#39;LAST CALL&#39;

ABSTRACT

The new blueberry plant variety ‘Last Call’ is provided. ‘Last Call’ is a commercial variety intended for both the fresh and process markets. The variety produces a large, light blue berry with exceptional flavor and firmness. ‘Last Call’ fruit ripens at the same time as the latest season commercial cultivars ‘Elliott’ and ‘Aurora’ but has a sweeter flavor that was preferred in blind taste tests. The variety has a vigorous bush that had higher yields than ‘Aurora’ in 2011-2012 in Oregon (yields were observed but not measured in 2010). The fruit of ‘Last Call’ had better firmness than ‘Elliott’ before and after storage (measured with a Firmtech 2 fruit firmness tester). ‘Last Call’ is a vigorous plant with an upright growth habit, and an estimated chilling requirement of 1000 hours based on pedigree.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

None.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY-SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

None.

LATIN NAME OF THE FAMILY, GENUS, AND SPECIES

Family—Ericaceae

Genus—Vaccinium

Species—corymbosum hybrid

VARIETY DENOMINATION

The new blueberry plant claimed is of the variety denominated ‘LastCall.’

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the discovery of a new and distinctcultivar of northern highbush hybrid blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosumhybrid) and referred to as ‘Last Call,’ as herein described andillustrated.

The new blueberry plant variety ‘Last Call’ was selected in Lowell,Oreg. in 2006. ‘Last Call’ is a commercial variety intended for both thefresh and process markets. The variety produces a large, light blueberry with exceptional flavor and firmness. ‘Last Call’ fruit ripens atthe same time as the latest season commercial cultivars ‘Elliott’ and‘Aurora’ but has a sweeter flavor that was preferred in blind tastetests. The variety has a vigorous bush that had higher yields than‘Aurora’ in 2011-2012 in Oregon (yields were observed but not measuredin 2010). The fruit of ‘Last Call’ had better firmness than ‘Elliott’before and after storage (measured with a Firmtech 2 fruit firmnesstester). ‘Last Call’ is a vigorous plant with an upright growth habit,and an estimated chilling requirement of 1000 hours based on pedigree.

Pedigree and History: The new blueberry plant originated from a 2002controlled cross pollination of ‘Ozarkblue’ (pollen parent, U.S. PlantPat. No. 10,035) by ‘Elliott’ (female parent, unpatented). The seedlingwas first selected from a high density field planting in the summer of2006. ‘Last Call’ was propagated using traditional techniques and hasbeen planted in replicated trials since 2008, alongside standardcommercial varieties. Fruit quality and yields have been observed in aplot of 9 plants in the years 2010, 2011, and 2012.

‘Last Call’ was selected because it was late maturing, firm, andflavorful. Late season fruit commands a premium price in the marketbecause of limited availability, but the current very late seasoncultivars ‘Elliott’ and ‘Aurora’ tend to produce tart fruit. Inaddition, ‘Elliot’ fruit often gets soft and wrinkly, whereas ‘Aurora’plants are small in stature and tend to yield poorly during orchardestablishment.

The new variety can be compared to female parent ‘Elliott’ in that ‘LastCall’ has larger berries with better firmness and sweeter flavor.

The new variety can be compared to the commercial variety ‘Aurora’ inthat ‘Last Call’ has a more vigorous plant with better yields on 3 and 4year old plants, and berries with sweeter flavor.

The new blueberry plant variety ‘Last Call’ has maintained itsdistinguishing characteristics throughout successive asexualpropagations. The variety has been repeatedly asexually reproducedthrough softwood cuttings in Lowell, Oreg., and the clones arephenotypically identical to the original plant.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The new blueberry plant variety ‘Last Call’ has not been observed underall possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhatwith variations in environment and cultural practices such astemperature and light intensity without, however, any variance ingenotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed in Lowell, Oreg., andare determined to be the unique characteristics of the new blueberryplant variety ‘Last Call’:

1. Late season ripening

2. High yields

3. Large, flavorful, firm fruit

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying photographic illustration shows typical specimens infull color of the foliage and fruit of the new variety ‘Last Call.’ Thecolors are as nearly true as is reasonably possible in a colorrepresentation of this type.

FIG. 1 is a photograph of the new variety ‘Last Call.’

FIG. 2 is a photograph of the fruit of the new variety ‘Last Call.’

FIG. 3 is a photograph of the flowers of the new variety ‘Last Call.’

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description sets forth the distinctivecharacteristics of ‘Last Call.’ The data which defines thesecharacteristics was collected from asexual reproductions of the originalselection. Dimensions, sizes, colors and other characteristics areapproximations and averages set forth as accurately as possible. Theplant history was taken on plants approximately three years of age, andthe descriptions relate to plants grown in the field in Lowell, Oreg.Color designations are from “The Pantone Book of Color” (by LeatriceEiseman and Lawrence Herbert; Harry N. Abrams, Inc., Publishers, NewYork, 1990). Where the Pantone color designations differ from the colorsin the photographs, the Pantone colors are accurate.

-   Classification:    -   -   a. Family.—Ericaceae.        -   b. Genus.—Vaccinium.        -   c. Species.—corymbosum hybrid.        -   d. Common name.—Northern Highbush hybrid.        -   Parentage.—Female Parent — ‘Elliott’ (unpatented). Male            parent — ‘Ozarkblue’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 10,035).        -   Market class.—‘Last Call’ is a commercial blueberry variety            intended for both fresh and process markets.-   Plant:    -   -   Height of plant.—4 year old plants average 48″ in height.        -   Canopy diameter.—4 year old plants average 30″ in diameter.        -   Growth habit.—Upright.        -   Plant vigor.—Vigorous.        -   Twigginess.—Low.        -   Suckering.—Low.        -   Evergreenness.—Deciduous.        -   Chilling requirement.—Estimated at 1000 hours, based on            pedigree.        -   Cold hardiness.—Estimated to be USDA zones 7-8, based on            pedigree.        -   Productivity in Lowell, Oreg.—a. 3 year old plants: ‘Last            Call’ yielded 6.39 lbs per plant, compared to 7.6 lbs per            plant on ‘Elliott’ and 3.83 lbs per plant on ‘Aurora’. b. 4            year old plants: ‘Last Call’ yielded 9.6 lbs per plant,            compared to 9.7 lbs per plant on ‘Elliott’ and 5.71 lbs per            plant on ‘Aurora’.        -   Propagation.—Hardwood propagation of ‘Last Call’ has been            successful, softwood propagation has been moderately            successful.        -   Disease resistance/susceptibility.—a. Root rot (Phytophthora            cinnamomi): Does not appear to be overly susceptible b. Stem            Blight (Botryosphaeria spp): Undetermined c. Phomopsis Twig            Blight (Phomopsis vaccinii): Does not appear to be overly            susceptible d. Botryosphaeria Stem canker (Botryosphaeria            corticis): Undetermined e. Bacterial Cane Canker            (Pseudomonas syringae): Does not appear to be overly            susceptible f. Botrytis blight (Botrytis cinerea): Does not            appear to be overly susceptible g. Leaf Spot (Septoria            spp.): Does not appear to be overly susceptible h. Leaf rust            (Naohidemyces vaccinii): Does not appear to be overly            susceptible i. Bud Mites (Acalatus vaccinii): Undetermined.        -   Survival.—Good.-   Trunk and branches:    -   -   Texture.—a. Surface Texture New Wood: Smooth. b. Surface            Texture 1 year Wood: Smooth. c. Surface Texture 3 year Wood:            Rough.        -   Color.—a. Color New Wood: Pantone color Green Oasis            15-0538 b. Color Rough Bark 1 year: Pantone color Green            Oasis 15-0538 and Maroon 18-1619 c. Color Rough Bark 3 year:            Pantone color Brush 16-1317, Gray Sand 13-1010 and Maroon            18-1619.-   Foliage:    -   -   Internode length.—Average of 22.1 mm.        -   Leaf dimensions.—a. Leaf Length: Average of 75.32 mm,            including petiole b. Leaf Width: Average of 36.6 mm.        -   Leaf shape.—Broadly elliptic.        -   Leaf margin.—Entire.        -   Leaf color.—a. Upper Leaf Surface: Pantone color Black            Forest 19-0315 b. Lower Leaf Surface: Pantone color Hedge            green 17-6323.        -   Pubescence.—a. Upper Leaf Surface: Absent b. Lower Leaf            Surface: Absent c. Leaf Margins: Absent.        -   Petiole.—a. Length: Average 2.84 mm b. Color: Pantone color            Mellow Green 12-0426 c. Surface texture: Smooth.        -   Leafing vs flowering.—In Lowell, Oreg. flower bud break            occurs prior to vegetative bud break. Flowers persist during            initial vegetative growth period.-   Flowers:    -   -   Flower arrangement.—Flowers are arranged alternately along a            short, leafless branch.        -   Immature flower color.—Pantone color Rapture Rose 17-1929            and Pastel Parchment 11-0603.        -   Fragrance.—Sweet.        -   Pedicel.—a. Pedicel Length Flower: Variable length, average            at terminal end 8.1 mm b. Pedicel Color: Pantone color Green            Olive 17-0535.        -   Peduncle.—a. Peduncle Length Flower: Variable length,            average 32.0 mm b. Peduncle Color: Pantone color Apple Green            15-0543.        -   Anther.—a. Anther length: Average 3.96 mm b. Anther color:            Pantone color Golden Ochre 16-1346 and Hazel 17-1143.        -   Flower shape.—Cylindrical to urceolate.        -   Pollen.—a. Pollen Staining: 95% viable, Staining with 2%            acetocarmine b. Pollen Abundance: Moderate c. Pollen Color:            Pantone color Corn Husk 12-0714.        -   Flower length.—Average of 11.02 mm.        -   Corolla.—a. Corolla Length: Average of 8.53 mm b. Corolla            Diameter: Average of 7.5 mm c. Corolla Color: Pantone color            Pastel Parchment 11-0603 d. Corolla Texture: Smooth e.            Corolla Aperture: Average of 5.21 mm.        -   Style length.—Average of 8.22 mm.        -   Calyx.—a. Calyx Diameter: Average of 5.41 mm b. Calyx            Surface: Smooth c. Calyx Color: Pantone color Peridot            17-0336 and Tarragon 15-0326.        -   Pistil color.—Pantone color Apple Green 15-0543.        -   Flowering period.—Late April through mid-May in Lowell,            Oreg.        -   Flowering cluster.—Loose cluster with long pedicels and            peduncles.        -   Number of flowers.—Average 13 flowers per cluster.        -   Stigma location.—Stigma location varies from an average of            0.13 mm above the lip of corolla to an average of 0.18 mm            below the lip of corolla.        -   Self-compatibility.—Moderate. On crosses done in a field            plot, 54% of self-pollinated flowers reached maturity,            compared to 61% of flowers crossed with commercial variety            Draper.-   Fruit:    -   -   Mean harvest date.—August 17.        -   Mean date last pick.—September 25.        -   Calyx.—a. Calyx Aperture: Average 6.42 mm b. Calyx Lobes:            Indistinct c. Calyx Depth: Average 2.36 mm.        -   Berry cluster.—Loose.        -   Berries per cluster.—Average 10-12.        -   Berry pedicel length.—Average 14.59 mm.        -   Pedicel surface texture.—Smooth.        -   Berry peduncle.—a. Length: Average 49.37 mm b. Peduncle            surface texture: Smooth.        -   Berry detachment.—Easy.        -   Berry weight.—Average 2.15 g per berry, compared to            ‘Elliott’ plants of the same age 1.72 g per berry, and            compared to ‘Aurora’ plants of the same age 1.93 g per            berry.        -   Berry height.—Average 12.86 mm.        -   Berry width.—Average 18.44 mm.        -   Berry shape.—Oblate.        -   Berry skin color on plant.—Pantone color Dapple Gray            16-3907.        -   Berry skin color after harvest.—Pantone color Dapple Gray            16-3907 to Night Shadow Blue 19-3919.        -   Berry skin color after polishing.—Pantone color Dark Navy            19-4013.        -   Berry wax.—Moderate wax and moderately persistent.        -   Berry flesh color.—Pantone color Nude 12-0911 to Autumn            Blonde 12-0813.        -   Pedicel scar.—Small and dry, average diameter 1.28 mm.        -   Berry firmness.—Good. Average berry firmness measurement            196.07 g/mm of deflection compared to ‘Elliott’ berries            harvested on the same day that measured 176.81 g/mm of            deflection as measured by a Firmtech fruit firmness tester.        -   Berry flavor.—Similar to early blueberry cultivars such as            ‘Earliblue’ or ‘Jersey’, less acidic than ‘Elliott’ or            ‘Aurora’.        -   Berry texture.—Smooth.-   Seeds:    -   -   Seed color.—Pantone color Henna 19-1334.        -   Seed length.—Average 1.97 mm.        -   Seed width.—Average 1.23 mm.        -   Seed weight.—Average 0.55 mg.        -   Quantity seeds per berry.—Average 44 seeds per berry.

1. A new and distinct variety of blueberry plant named ‘Last Call,’substantially as illustrated and described herein.